News Release

Founded in 1936, SSSA supports peer-reviewed publications, an Annual Meeting, science policy activities, and the Certified Professional Soil Scientist Program. Today, SSSA continues to help its members advance the field of soil science through outreach to teachers, undergraduate and graduate students, and members around the world.

"During our 75-year history, the Soil Science Society of America has had many accomplishments. From our peer-reviewed journals, Annual Meeting, and educational outreach, we have much to celebrate," says SSSA President Charles W. Rice, Kansas State University. “We look forward to the next 75 years in SSSA history, as the importance of the soil ecosystem moves to the forefront of discussions about climate change, food security, water quantity and quality, contamination, and human health.

SSSA recently completed its assessment of the Grand Challenges facing the soil science discipline. SSSA identified the most critical future research needs in soil science, pointing to: Climate Change; Food and Energy Security; Waste Treatment and Water quality; Human and Ecosystem Health. For more information the Soil Grand Challenges, including the full list of short-, medium-, and long-term research goals, visit: www.soils.org/about-society/grand-challenges.

The organization is planning several anniversary activities throughout 2011. A national outreach plan is being launched to increase awareness of the importance of soils and the soil science profession and will continue throughout 2011. Anniversary celebrations will culminate at the 2011 Annual Meeting, Oct. 16-19, 2011 in San Antonio, TX. For more information on the Annual Meeting, visit www.acsmeetings.org. To celebrate the anniversary of the journal, SSSAJ will publish historical perspectives throughout 2011. For more information on the journal, visit www.soils.org/publications/sssaj.